Advancing the Study of Communcation Disorders

Board of Directors

MSHF Board of Directors: 2017-2018

Heather Balog, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (2012-2017) MSHF Presidentheather.balog@balogspeechlang.com
Heather Balog, PhD, CCC-SLP has worked in the field of speech-language pathology for 19 years. She currently owns and manages a private practice, Balog Speech & Language Center, PLLC, in Plymouth, Michigan where she specializes in pediatric care. Heather earned her B.A and M.A. degrees from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and her Ph.D. from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She became interested in speech-language pathology as early as high school during a college visit where she learned about the field during a campus tour. The profession has always been a good fit for her because she knew she wanted to work with children and the profession offers such an elegant blend of art and science. Heather enjoys serving on the MSHF board because she is passionate about serving her clients and passionate about advancement of the profession. She is excited about the future of the audiology and speech-language pathology and looks forward to supporting young professionals and our clients.

Dawn Kutney, B.A. (2012-2018)msha@att.netMSHA Administrative Consultant
Dawn Kutney, B.A., has been an Administrative Consultant for MSHA for the past 30 years. She is originally from St. Clair Shores, Michigan and has lived in Lansing for 32 years. Dawn has a B.A. from San Diego State University in Sociology and has studied social work and special education at Western Michigan University. Her work for MSHA includes serving as Editor of the newsletter et cetera as well as her work planning and coordinating the MSHA Annual Conference held every year. She also does legislative advocacy work on behalf of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. Her interest in serving on the MSHF Board stems from her commitment to advocate for students preparing to be Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. She has been inspired by the professionalism and commitment she has observed for the 30 years she has worked with the members of MSHA. Her goal is to further educate the public about the good work that SLPs and AUDs do and to gather support for the outstanding students who face the ever-increasing challenges of paying for their graduate degrees.

Rick Merson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (2012-2018)
MSHF Treasurerrmerson@beaumont.edu
Rick recently retired from William Beaumont Hospital where he has worked for over 30 years. He is the 2017 Recipient of MSHA Honors of the Association, for among other things, his expertise on acquired fluency disorders and other areas of neurogenic communication impairment and his teaching which has reflected the most recent research and highest quality of evidence-based treatment. Rick has served MSHA in many ways including as MSHA President and for being a tireless advocate for licensure and professional recognition for Speech-Language Pathologists throughout Michigan.

Judy Silverman, M.A., CCC-SLP (2012-2018)MSHF Secretary dsilve1115@aol.com
Judith A. Uznis-Silverman, M.A.,CCC-SLP is currently retired after 37 years of employment as a speech-language pathologist. Her prior work as a speech-language pathologist includes Southfield Schools, Children's Hospital of Michigan, American Rehabilitation Network, St. Joseph Mercy Home Care and Heartland Home Health Care. She earned her B.A. from Central Michigan University and M.A. from Wayne State University. She learned about the field in her last semester of undergraduate work while taking Introduction to Speech Pathology and knew that it was her path. Judy entered Wayne State University as a young mother of two and was awarded a Graduate Professional Scholarship. MSHF is her way to "pay it forward" and help other graduate students.

Aaron Hardy-Smith, M.A., CCC-SLP (2014-2017)aaronhardysmith@aol.com
Aaron Hardy-Smith, M.A., CCC-SLP is currently employed at Wayne State University as a Clinical Educator and Lecturer in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Prior to working at Wayne, she worked as a school speech-language pathologist for Calhoun ISD, Allen Park Public Schools, as well as in several charter schools in Detroit. She earned her B.S. and M.A. in Speech Language Pathology from Western Michigan University. Her areas of interest in the field include autism as well as servicing culturally and linguistically diverse populations. She became aware of the field of speech language pathology during a career exploration assignment her senior year of high school, and knew that this was the right field for her! Aaron was drawn to serve on the MSHF board because she has a desire to help students succeed in becoming professionals in the Communication Sciences and Disorders fields, and can do that through her work on the board.

Kathy Rigley-Rowell, M.A.,CCC-SLP ( 2017-2020)Katherine.rigley-rowell@wmich.edu
Kathy Rigley-Rowell, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a practicing speech language pathologist and Clinical Faculty Member at Western Michigan University. She specializes in adult swallowing and communication disorders. Kathy has practiced since 2001 and is Past-President of the Michigan Speech Language Hearing Association (MSHA). She has also served on MSHA's Ethics and Advocacy Committees. Kathy attended Central Michigan University for both her undergraduate and graduate studies in Speech Language Pathology. She is passionate about developing leadership skills in students as well as advocating on behalf of consumers and individuals with communication and/or swallowing disorders. Kathy enjoys the challenges and gratification of earning the trust of others who are in need of support, intervention and/or education.

Pamela M. Ansell, M.A., CCC-SLP (2017-2020)pansell@mywwwps.org
Pamela Ansell, M.A., CCC-SLP is currently employed by Warren Woods Public Schools. Pamela earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Central Michigan University and her Master of Arts in Speech Pathology from Western Michigan University. During her years in the Warren Woods Public Schools, Pamela has been an itinerant Speech-Language Pathologist, a classroom teacher for students with Severe Language Impairments, and is now the Teacher Consultant for the center-based Severely Language Impaired Program. Pamela also serves on the board of the Macomb/St. Clair Speech Language Hearing Association. She joined the MSHF board in 2017.

Fran Eldis, Ph.D., CCC-SLP/A, ASHA Fellowfranceseldis@yahoo.com
Dr. Frances Eldis, PhD, CCC-A/SLP, ASHA Fellow, is a native Detroiter who is dually certified as speech language pathologist and audiologist. She is currently retired from
Wayne State University as the Audiology Clinical Education Coordinator, and has worked in Detroit Public Schools as well as Children’s Hospital of Michigan as Director of Communication Disorders for 37 years. She obtained her B.A. and M.A. in Speech Language Pathology, and Ph.D. in Audiology from Wayne State University. Fran has served on the MSHF board since 2005.

Ellen Fairbrother, M.A., CCC-SLP, ASHA FellowAccentR@aol.com
Ellen has recently retired as founder and president of Accent Reduction, Inc. as well as serving as President of the MSHF. She received both her B.A. and M.A. in speech-language pathology from Wayne State University. She has always been interested in speech, foreign languages, and diverse cultures. Ellen comes from a family of educators and becoming a speech-language pathologist seemed like the perfect combination of her interests. She is also a certified teacher with a specialty in Learning Disabilities. Throughout her entire career she has been active in MSHA, and now MSHF. It is her way of “staying current, being proactive, and giving back to my profession.”

Ashley Gutowski, M.A., CCC-SLPMSHA Representativea.gutowski@globalpsychology.net
Ashley Gutowski, M.A., CCC-SLP is currently employed by Global Psychology Services (GPS) as a Special Education Coordinator and Speech-Language Pathologist. Prior to working for GPS, she worked as a school Speech-Language Pathologist for the Education Achievement Authority. She earned her B.A. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from Wayne State University. She is a past recipient of the Michigan Speech Language and Hearing Foundation Scholarship while earning her Master's degree. Ashley is looking forward to serving on the MSHF board to give back to the profession that has given her so much.

Liz Stevens, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellowdrlstevens@gmail.com
Lizbeth Curme Stevens, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow, is a professor in the Department of Special Education in the Speech-Language Pathology program at Eastern Michigan University. Prior to joining EMU in 1998, Stevens worked as an SLP for Northville Public Schools and later Warren Woods Public Schools serving students with many different types of communication disorders. She specialized in treating those who could not speak and required assistive technology/AAC. Stevens worked in the schools for close to 20 years. Childhood experiences with deaf children in her elementary school years and a cousin with Down syndrome made Stevens very aware of communication differences among individuals. A keen interest in language, speech, linguistics, and communication led her to this career choice in the 1970’s. Stevens earned her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Michigan in Speech-Language Pathology and her Ph.D. from Wayne State University. Stevens, a long time member of the executive board of MSHA and its president in 2005 envisioned an organization which could provide financial support for many worthy causes beyond the scope of MSHA, . These included funding for students, specialized training for professionals through sponsored seminars, for example, and support for individuals themselves with communication impairments. Her dream was realized with the founding of Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (MSHF) in 2006. Although MSHF is only now approaching its 12th anniversary, the foundation has made great strides forward. Stevens is excited to work toward another decade of progress and philanthropy with MSHF.